2025 Nairobi County Chess Championship

The 2025 Nairobi County Chess Championship concluded last weekend with 2021 Kenya National Champion Martin Njoroge winning the event with an impressive score of 7.5 points out of eight rounds to go home with KES 40,000 (USD 325). He beat a strong field of 136 contestants to earn an impressive TPR of 2395 and boost his GP standing.

Gong Thon Gong of South Sudan was second with 7 points, winning KES 30,000, while FM Haruna Nsubuga of Uganda was third with 6.5 points, earning KES 20,000.

Mehul Gohil, the three-time Kenya Champion, found the going difficult and ended up with 4 points and 51st in the ranking. It was clear that his victory at the 2025 Kiambu Open two weeks earlier had taken a significant toll on his stamina and energy levels.

Veteran CM Ben Magana and the 2024 Nairobi County Chess Champion scored six points to finish 4th in the standings. His 22-move win over 2019 Kenya National Champion Dr Victor Ngani was a clear indication that CM Magana is still a force to reckon with.

Anthony Kionga the Chairman of the Nairobi County Chess Associations (left) presents Martin Njoroge with his trophy.

Other details

The Nairobi County Chess Association organised the 2025 Nairobi County Chess Tournament at the KCB Leadership Centre in Karen. It was the second edition of the event, with the first one having been hosted in 2024.

The event, which took place from May 31st to June 2nd, 2025, was the seventh tournament in the Grand Prix series, part of the 2025 Kenya National Chess Championship.

Approximately 200 players also participated in a one-day junior event with several age groups (U8, U12, and U16).